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PURCHASE, N.Y. -- Purchase College will hold its 42nd annual commencement ceremony on Friday, May 16. The ceremony is set for 12:30 p.m. at the Westchester County Center at 198 Central Avenue in White Plains.

Purchase staff will hand out more than 1,000 degrees to graduates as thousands of family members, friends, college faculty and staff cheer on the Class of 2014.

"The event — which reflects Purchase’s reputation as a fulcrum of creative growth and accomplishment — features Joe Ferry and the Big Ska Band providing opening ceremony music while an array of luminaries from diverse fields will be presented with honorary degrees and distinguished alumni awards," representatives said in a press release.

Amy Goodman will receive an honorary degree in recognition of "her outstanding contribution to independent political journalism and her role as a spokesperson for more effective governmental leadership and reform," according to the release.

John Zorn will receive an honorary degree in recognition of "his accomplishments as a composer, performer and educator as well as the indelible mark he has made on contemporary music," according to the release.

Two honorees will receive a President’s Award for Distinguished Alumni at Commencement 2014. The honorees are Jodi Long and Peter Powchik.

“These honorees demonstrate how a Purchase College education gives our alumni the foundation for outstanding achievement in a broad range of sectors, including the performing arts and biomedical science,” said Purchase College President Thomas J. Schwarz in the release.